Teether

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

When babies or infants are growing or “cutting” new teeth, it often leads to painful gums and general discomfort. Teethers are well known devices for offering relief for babies who are cutting new teeth by providing hard or semi hard surfaces for them to bite and chew on. A variety of teether shapes and designs are known in the art.

Generally, the biting surface of known teethers is U-shaped in order to match the profile of an infant's teeth and gums. The U-shaped biting surface is inserted into the infant's mouth and a handle, flange or other formation protrudes outside the mouth for safe insertion and removal of the teether.

One known teether is the “Gummy” teether, which is described in EP 1471869, Bellett Leasing Pty Limited. The Gummy teether has a U-shape biting surface which is wider and thicker at the extremities than at the axial centre of the U-shape, in the vicinity of the infant's front teeth. Different profiles of biting surface may be provided according to different embodiments of the Gummy teether, dependent on the age of the infant and thus the extent of development of the infant's teeth.

There are various problems associated with prior art teethers. As with the Gummy teether described above, prior art teethers are often designed so that different embodiments or product types are suitable for different respective development stages, according to the teeth that are protruding through the infant's gums. For example, usually the front incisor teeth are the first teeth to appear, with teeth further back in the mouth coming later. Therefore a U-shaped teething surface with uniform thickness is only useful for very early stages of development, before the front teeth have emerged. Once the front teeth have already grown into place, it is more suitable to use a soother embodiment which is thicker towards the back of the mouth than at the front, so that the infant's ability to bite on the teether at the back of the mouth is not impeded by the front teeth that have already formed.

It will be appreciated that using several different teethers during different development stages of an infant's teeth is inconvenient and cost ineffective. Furthermore, it is difficult to select the precise profile of teether that would be appropriate for an infant at any given point of their teeth development.

The invention is set out in the claims.

Because the mouthpiece of the teether includes a substantially U-shaped biting section having a central portion, wherein at least part of said central portion is resiliently collapsible upon application of pressure thereto during use of the teether by an infant, a flexible and variable teether is provided. If the infant has already developed teeth in the front of his or her mouth, in the vicinity of the central portion during use of the teether, at least part of the central portion will collapse in order to accommodate those front teeth whilst still enabling the infant to bite down on the rear portions formed by the arms of the U-shaped biting section. Because at least part of the central portion is resiliently collapsible, it will return to its uncollapsed state when the pressure thereon is released.

By providing a hollow formation in the central portion of the mouthpiece, resilient collapsibility can be achieved. The formation will not collapse merely due to being hollow, but will require some force or pressure to be applied thereto by infant teeth or gums. Therefore the teether is effective both for very early stages of tooth development when an infant has no front teeth, and in later stages when the front teeth are partly or fully developed.

By providing a support ring between the substantially U-shaped biting section and the exterior portion of the teether, a secure method of attaching the mouthpiece to the exterior portion is achieved. This is important to ensure that the mouthpiece does not become dislodged and form a choking hazard. Furthermore, since the support ring is made form a more rigid material than the substantially U-shaped biting section, the overall robustness and safety of the teether is enhanced.

By providing a layer of flexible material forming a surface of the teether against an infant's face during use, enhanced comfort is provided. Furthermore, by providing a groove, flex channel or undulation within the flexible material, improve flexibility and accommodation of infant mouth movement is provided.

Because the U-shaped biting section may comprise a protrusion, indentation or groove on the surface thereof, enhanced massaging and comforting effects are provided for the infant's gums.

By forming the exterior portion of the teether from a relatively rigid material, a secure anchor is provided for the teether, outside the infant's mouth, which cannot be swallowed by the infant. By providing holes in the exterior portion, this rigidity and resistance to collapse is combined with the goal of safely reducing hardness against the infant's face.

Hence a user friendly, safe and flexible teether is provided, which can be used during various stages of infant development to provide relief from discomfort for teething infants.

FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an exploded view of a two-part teether, according to an embodiment;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side view of the teether according to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, with a cross-sectional view through the neck and cap;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a top view of the teether according to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>shows a plan view of a teether according to an embodiment;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>b </i></figref>shows a cross-section through the teether of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>along line AA therein;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>c </i></figref>shows an alternative cross-section along line AA in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref><i>a; </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d </i></figref>shows another alternative cross-section along line AA in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a</i></figref>, including grooves;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>e </i></figref>shows the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d </i></figref>with a compression force applied thereto;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>f </i></figref>shows an alternative cross-section along line AA in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref><i>a; </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5<i>a </i></figref>shows another possible cross-section along line AA in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a</i></figref>, with slits therein;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5<i>b </i></figref>shows the view from underneath of the teether embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref><i>a; </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows another alternative cross-section along line AA in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>with grooves on an outer surface of the teether mouthpiece;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows another alternative cross-section along line AA in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>with grooves on inner and outer surfaces;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows another alternative cross-section along line AA in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>with misaligned grooves;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9<i>a </i></figref>shows a cross-section through a three-part teether according to an embodiment;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9<i>b </i></figref>shows a close-up view of a portion of the teether shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref><i>a; </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9<i>c </i></figref>shows a possible configuration of the shield cap and shield of the teether of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref><i>a; </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9<i>d </i></figref>shows an alternative configuration of the shield and shield cap of the teether of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref><i>a; </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows an alternative embodiment of a three-part teether.

OVERVIEW

In overview, a teether is provided that enables an infant to obtain biting and chewing relief for gums during various stages of teeth development. In particular, the teether enables relief for gums at the back of the mouth without being impeded by the infant's front teeth that have already developed. This is achieved by providing a teether having a substantially U-shaped teething surface in which an area corresponding to the infant's front teeth is resiliently collapsible. As a result of this, the teether can be used for young infants in which the front teeth have not yet been cut, since an accessible, biteable surface is provided across the entire U-shape. The same teether can also be used at later stages of infant development, when the front teeth have already grown into place, since the presence of the front teeth can cause the collapsible area at the centre of the U-shape to collapse, hence not preventing the infant from biting down at the back of the mouth where tooth cutting is still in progress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows an exploded view of a teether, according to an embodiment. As can be seen from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the teether <b>10</b> embodiment is constructed from two parts. The first part is a cap <b>12</b> which, in use, remains outside the infant's mouth. The purpose of the cap <b>12</b> is to ensure that the teether <b>10</b> fits against the infant's lips without a risk of entering the mouth and causing a choking hazard. The cap <b>12</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a rigid plastic cap made of an appropriate plastic such as polypropylene (PP). However any suitable material may be used for the cap <b>12</b>. The cap <b>12</b> shown <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> has a generally rounded or elliptical outer perimeter with a dip <b>14</b> along the upper edge, to accommodate the infant's nose and improve comfort during use of the teether <b>10</b>.

It is preferable to include as little rigid material in a teether <b>10</b> as possible, to minimise hardness against an infant's face. However, this must be balanced with the need to provide a sufficiently safe teether arrangement, which will not collapse into an infant's mouth, which would present a substantial safety hazard. The cap <b>12</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> has rigid plastic in a generally figure of eight configuration with two holes <b>16</b> at either side of the longitudinal central axis, in which holes <b>16</b> there is no rigid material present. There is rigid material along the central longitudinal axis to provide support for the teether <b>10</b> as a whole.

The second part of the teether <b>10</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a mouthpiece <b>18</b> comprising a substantially U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>, a relatively rigid support ring <b>22</b> and a flexible membrane <b>30</b> extending between the support ring <b>22</b> and the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>. The flexible membrane <b>30</b> extends from the perimeter of the support ring <b>22</b>, and merges into the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>. The U-shaped biting section extends generally transversely to the plane of the flexible membrane <b>30</b> and relatively rigid support ring <b>22</b>, in the direction of the central axis of the teether <b>10</b>. The U-shaped biting section <b>20</b> is designed to fit the profile and shape of an infant's gums, wherein the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b> has two curved arms <b>23</b> with rounded outer edges <b>24</b>, which arms <b>23</b> meet at a central portion <b>26</b>, which is in the vicinity of an infant's front teeth and gums when in use.

The relatively rigid support ring <b>22</b> is sized so as to fit together with the rigid plastic cap <b>12</b>. The mouthpiece <b>18</b> and rigid cap <b>12</b> may be assembled together by any suitable means, for example using ultrasonic welding of the support ring <b>22</b> and the cap <b>12</b>.

The mouthpiece itself as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is manufactured in two stages. In a first stage, the relatively rigid support ring <b>22</b> is injection moulded. The support ring <b>22</b> may be formed of any suitably rigid material, for example polypropylene (PP). In a second stage, flexible material is over moulded to create the flexible membrane <b>30</b> and U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>. Any suitable flexible material may be used, for example thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The outer periphery of the flexible membrane <b>30</b> is fixed to the rigid support ring <b>22</b>.

As can be seen from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>, the mouthpiece <b>18</b> includes a neck <b>28</b> which extends inwardly from the flexible membrane <b>30</b>, into the central portion <b>26</b> of the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>. The neck is formed from the same relatively flexible material which makes up the flexible membrane <b>30</b> and the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>. Preferably, the flexible membrane <b>30</b>, neck <b>28</b> and substantially U-shaped biting section <b>20</b> comprise a continuous formation of flexible material.

In order to provide collapsibility of the central portion <b>26</b> of the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>, the neck <b>28</b> is cored out so that at least part of it is hollow. The remainder of the flexible material comprised within the mouthpiece <b>18</b> is solid. Although the neck <b>28</b> is made from relatively flexible material, it is still sufficiently rigid and self-supporting that it does not cave in on itself when no force is applied thereto. Instead, the neck <b>28</b> is arranged so that a biting force or other compression from infant teeth or gums will cause the neck <b>28</b> to flatten out in response to that force. When the force is released, the neck <b>28</b> returns to its unflatened configuration for future use. Therefore it is resiliently collapsible. In use, the central portion <b>26</b> of the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b> may be collapsed or compressed to varying degrees, dependent on the extent of development of the infant's front teeth and the force with which the infant bites or presses down thereon, and returned to its original configuration when the force is removed therefrom.

In order to provide flexibility and enhanced infant comfort, the relatively flexible material of the flexible membrane <b>30</b> preferably extends from the periphery of the support ring <b>22</b>, and continues therefrom to form the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b> of the mouthpiece <b>18</b>. The relatively rigid material of the support ring <b>22</b> does not touch the infant's face in such an embodiment. This arrangement ensures maximum comfort for the infant as the flexible membrane <b>30</b> of soft material is the only region to contact the infant's face in use. In addition, the flexible membrane <b>30</b> provides a “flex and stretch” effect which enhances infant comfort and serves to accommodate the natural movement of an infant's mouth during use of the teether. This “flex and stretch” effect is further described with respect to soother embodiments in earlier patent application number WO 2007/028971, in the name of Jackel International Limited. As can be seen from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> of the present application, the flexible membrane <b>30</b> may include undulating portions and may include features such as grooves or flex channels.

The flexible material extending from the support ring <b>22</b> may be attached in any suitable manner. For example it may be clamped between the support ring <b>22</b> and the rigid cap <b>12</b>, or may be ultrasonically welded to the support ring <b>22</b>, or it may be adhered to the support ring using known over-moulding techniques.

Whilst <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref> show only the neck region as being hollow, it is possible to extend the hollowness into the arms of the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b> in order to increase the region of releasable collapsibility of the mouthpiece <b>18</b>. Such an arrangement serves to enhance the usability of the teether for infants at various stages of teething development, since it accommodates teeth growth into the mouth, towards the rear, as well as teeth growth at the front of the mouth, whilst still allowing the infant to apply biting pressure on the teether on the vicinity of the rear gums. There may be one continuous hollow region, or several distinct hollow regions in the flexible material of the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>shows a plan view of just the flexible material of the mouthpiece part of a similar teether to the teether <b>10</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The teether <b>40</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>comprises a layer of material or flexible membrane <b>42</b> extending from a substantially U-shaped flexible mouthpiece <b>44</b>. The mouthpiece <b>44</b> includes a textured surface, as discussed further below.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>b </i></figref>shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the teether shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a </i></figref>across the line designated AA therein. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece <b>44</b> includes an inner cavity <b>50</b> defined by a surface which includes upper <b>46</b> and lower <b>48</b> walls. The walls <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> are collapsible about the cavity <b>50</b>, as described with respect to earlier embodiments herein. The cavity <b>50</b> in this embodiment is generally rectangular in cross-section, as can be seen from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>b</i></figref>, with the upper <b>46</b> and lower <b>48</b> walls extending substantially parallel to the upper and lower biting surfaces of the relatively flexible mouthpiece <b>44</b>. If the teether is being used by a child or infant who already has their first teeth, when they bite down on the mouthpiece portion <b>44</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>b </i></figref>they will be pressing down against a substantially uniform surface, due to the rectangular cross-sectional shape of the cavity <b>50</b>. As a result there will be little or no point pressure, which is advantageous for the durability of the teether <b>40</b>. This generally rectangular cross-section of cavity <b>50</b> has a further advantage in that it is relatively easy to design and manufacture.

Other cavity shapes are also possible for teethers such as the one shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>a</i></figref>. These are discussed in detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4<i>b </i></figref>to <b>8</b> below. As will be understood from the following detailed description, altering the shape of the cavity inside the mouthpiece of a teether and/or the profile of the surface defining the cavity can assist with enhancing the collapsibility of the flexible mouth piece portion whilst not causing particular problems for the teeth. As the skilled reader will be aware, teethers and soothers are often sold in “stages” so that the child can use something appropriate for each stage of their development. Altering the internal shape of a teether as described in detail below enables the manufacturer to tailor products in order to cater for various stages of development, for example to cater for the increasing number of teeth that a child will have over time.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>c </i></figref>shows an alternative embodiment wherein the cavity <b>52</b> in the mouthpiece <b>44</b> is rounded in cross-section. For example, it could be substantially circular, oval or elliptical. By creating a rounded shape of cavity, the surface area of the surface defining the cavity is reduced. This can be beneficial during manufacture since a rounded shape will encounter less drag when the flexible baglet material of the mouthpiece is being removed from the moulding tool after moulding. A further advantage of a rounded cavity shape is that the collapsible walls above and below the cavity are thinner in the middle. As a child grows it will generally start getting teeth from the centre of the mouth outwards, therefore a teether such as the one shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>c </i></figref>will be beneficial to an infant having only a few teeth, for example two incisors at the top and two at the bottom, in the centre of their mouth.

According to other variations, it is possible to make the cavity inside the relatively flexible mouthpiece of a teether asymmetric, to account for children whose top and bottom teeth do not develop at the same rate. The embodiments described herebelow include particular features in the lower section of the flexible mouthpiece but not in it upper section, but such features could be provided in the top and/or bottom sections of the teether without departing from the concepts embodied by the particular arrangements described herein. By providing a series of features on the bottom collapsible wall as shown in the soothers of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4<i>d </i>and 4<i>e</i></figref>, the teether enables the infant or baby to teethe on its top gums even though its first bottom teeth have already come through. If the features were repeated on the top collapsible wall above the cavity, the baby could teethe, i.e. soothe its gums, away from the centre of the mouth once its first incisors have come through.

In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d </i></figref>an arrangement of grooves is provided on the surface defining the cavity <b>54</b>. The cavity <b>54</b> in the mouthpiece <b>44</b> is substantially rectangular in cross-section except in the vicinity of the grooves <b>56</b>. The grooves <b>56</b> are on the bottom wall below the cavity and extend downwards therefrom. The grooves <b>56</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d </i></figref>are substantially rectangular in cross section when the teether is in a non-compressed state.

In the arrangement shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d </i></figref>the grooves <b>56</b> act so that, when a compressive force is applied to the upper and lower biting surfaces of the mouthpiece <b>44</b>, the lower wall at the base of the cavity <b>54</b> can move downwards by stretching the thin regions of the relatively flexible material at the base of the grooves <b>56</b> and/or by compressing or expanding in the space in between the grooves <b>56</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>e </i></figref>shows the teether of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d </i></figref>after slight compression, for example by application of a biting force in the central region by a child's first two bottom teeth. As can be seen therein, the grooves have deformed as a result of the compressive force but will relax back to their original shape as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d </i></figref>once the compressive force is removed.

Any suitable shape or profile of grooves may be provided on or in a surface defining a cavity within the mouthpiece of a teether, in accordance with manufacturing and operational requirements for the teether. Furthermore, although three grooves are shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4<i>d </i>and 4<i>e</i></figref>, any number of grooves may be provided in the surface defining the cavity within the flexible mouthpiece of a teether.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>f </i></figref>shows an alternative embodiment wherein, instead of a series of distinct grooves in the surface which defines a cavity within the mouthpiece portion of a teether, the lower wall which defines the base of the cavity has a continuous “stepped” or undulating profile. The step can be arranged as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>f </i></figref>so that the thinnest and therefore most collapsible material is provided in the centre of the teether, which is the region most likely to be pressed by a baby's first teeth, and the thickest and therefore least collapsible material is provided towards the edges of the cavity, towards the sides of the baby's mouth, which are less likely to have teeth at an early stage of the baby's development.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5<i>a </i></figref>shows an alternative embodiment wherein the cavity <b>54</b> is not fully contained within the baglet material which forms the mouthpiece portion of the teether. Instead, there are a series of slits <b>60</b> extending downwardly from the main body of the cavity, extending right through the lower biting surface of the flexible mouthpiece <b>44</b>. If a compressive force is applied to the teether shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5<i>a </i></figref>by an infant, the slits <b>60</b> can readily be pressed by the infant's bottom teeth in regions where teething has already occurred, where the soothing and massaging effect of a teether is thus no longer required. At the same time, the flat surface offered by the continuous upper wall of the surface which defines the cavity will be unaffected by the presence of the slits in the lower wall and thus the teether will offer a continuous surface on which the baby can teethe, i.e. apply force to its gums, in upper regions of the mouth where it may still be needed. The slits <b>60</b> do not have to be through the lower biting surface of the flexible mouthpiece <b>44</b> of the teether, they could instead be through the upper biting surface.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5<i>b </i></figref>shows a view from beneath of the teether as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5<i>a </i></figref>with the slits <b>60</b> therein.

In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5<i>a </i>and 5<i>b</i></figref>, the extent to which the upper and lower walls which define the cavity <b>54</b> inside the flexible mouthpiece can be compressed does not depend solely the size or shape of the cavity but also on the ability of the material between the slits <b>60</b> to stretch and elongate. Again, the dimensions of the “baglet” material which forms the flexible mouthpiece can be tailored to allow the appropriate amount of compressibility and movement of the mouthpiece, dependent on the age and stage of infant for which the teether is designed. For example, slitting a relatively thin material will allow material between the slits to deflect more than material between slits of relatively thick material and longer slits will allow the material in between to have more movement than material in between shorter slits would have.

Although three slits are shown in each of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5<i>a </i>and 5<i>b</i></figref>, any number of slits may be provided right through the biting surface or surfaces defining the cavity within the flexible mouthpiece of a teether.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows an alternative embodiment including grooves <b>62</b> formed on the lower biting surface of the mouthpiece of a teether. As the skilled reader will appreciate, the grooves <b>62</b> can perform a similar function to the grooves described above with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4<i>d</i></figref>. The compression or expansion of the flexible material in the vicinity of the grooves can enhance teething effects for the teether.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a further alternative where grooves are provided on both the inner surface which defines the cavity and the outer biting surface of the relatively flexible mouthpiece. The grooves can be aligned with one another as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> or, alternatively, they can deliberately be out of alignment with one another as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. The size, shape and number of these grooves, as well as their positions, can be tailored according to the age and stage of child for which the teether is designed, taking into account other factors such as the material to be used for the mouthpiece and so on.

As an alternative, thickening ribs may be provided on the inner and/or outer surfaces of the upper and/or lower biting portions surrounding a cavity in the mouthpiece of a teether. The thickening ribs can be arranged so that they reduce collapsibility in certain regions of the teether whilst allowing other regions of the teether, which do not include thickening ribs and which may or may not include grooves or recesses therein, to flex easily and thus be more pliant than the thickened rib portions.

It is also possible to have thickening ribs on the inner surface which define a cavity within a teether. Such ribs can be provided with complementary grooves or recesses on an opposing side of the surface which defines the cavity. With such an arrangement, when a force is applied to the biting surfaces of the teether to press them together, for example when a child with incisors bites the teether, the strengthening ribs fit into the grooves or recesses and the child's gums will not feel unevenness or point pressure.

In all the teether embodiments described above, the U-shaped biting section <b>20</b> of the mouthpiece <b>18</b> may comprise any suitable surface texture. For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 4</figref><i>a</i>, there may be a series of raised portions on the upper and/or lower surface of the U-shaped biting section, to provide a massage effect when an infant bites down thereon. Furthermore, towards the outer edges of the U-shape, in the vicinity of the rear teeth when the teether is in use, a series of concentric grooves may be provided to provide a soothing or massage effect when the infant bites down thereon.

Whilst the teether has been described as having a rigid plastic cap it will be appreciated that any suitable rigid formation on the outer of the teether may be used. It may include a handle for easier removal and insertion of the device. The outer cap may be slightly domed, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, or may be substantially flat. The rigid cap itself may also be covered, in full or in part, with a flexible membrane.

Whilst a two part construction has been described herein, any suitable construction method may be used. The flexible mouthpiece material, the support ring and the outer cap may be made as a single entity, or may be manufactured in three or more parts and assembled together in any suitable manner.

Alternative Construction

Instead of manufacturing a teether in two parts as described above, it can be moulded as three separate parts as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>to 9<i>d </i></figref>herein. The three part teether shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>to 9<i>d </i></figref>includes a cavity in the central section of the relatively flexible mouthpiece portion, as has been described in detail hereabove. However it is also possible for a three part soother to be constructed substantially as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>to 9<i>d </i></figref>and described herebelow, but without a cavity in the mouthpiece portion.

The three separate parts in such an arrangement are a shield <b>92</b>, a shield cap <b>94</b> and a flexible mouthpiece <b>96</b>. The shield <b>92</b> and shield cap <b>94</b> are relatively rigid whilst the mouthpiece <b>96</b> is relatively flexible and soft. In the embodiments shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>to 9<i>d </i></figref>the outer perimeter of the membrane which forms the flexible mouthpiece <b>96</b>, extending between the U-shaped portion of the mouthpiece towards the relatively rigid portions of the teether, is mechanically trapped between the shield <b>92</b>, which can also be referred to as a ring, and the shield cap <b>94</b>, which can also be referred to and act as a handle. Once the flexible membrane has been trapped between the shield <b>92</b> and the shield cap <b>94</b>, the shield <b>92</b> and shield cap <b>94</b> are permanently joined together by a suitable method such as permanent ultrasonic welding. As can be seen from the closer view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9<i>b</i></figref>, the membrane should ideally be mechanically trapped or clamped in at least two directions between the shield <b>92</b> and shield cap <b>94</b>. Although only a cross-section of the shield <b>92</b> and shield cap <b>94</b> are shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>and 9<i>b</i></figref>, it will be appreciated that clamping of the membrane therebetween continues for the entire perimeter of the membrane, not just the particular points visible in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>and 9<i>b</i></figref>. It is essential to trap the membrane sufficiently in order to avoid the risk of it becoming loosened from the relatively rigid portions of the teether, in order to avoid a choking hazard for the infant.

In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>and 9<i>b </i></figref>the shield <b>92</b> or at least a portion thereof rests against the face of an infant or child using the teether. The shield cap <b>94</b> on the other hand forms the outer most surface of the teether and therefore does not come into contact with an infant's face during use of the teether. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>c </i>and 9<i>d </i></figref>show in some more detail two possible profiles for the shield <b>92</b> and shield cap <b>94</b>. The surface of the shield <b>92</b> may be substantially flat against an infant's face as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9<i>c</i></figref>. Alternatively, it may be profiled away from the infant's face towards the outer edges of the teether, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref><i>d. </i>

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9<i>d</i></figref>, a supporting rim <b>98</b> may be provided on the shield cap <b>94</b>. The supporting rim <b>98</b> extends along a portion of the lower surface of the mouthpiece, in the vicinity of the outer perimeter of the relatively flexible membrane. The supporting rim <b>98</b> therefore supports the perimeter of the mouthpiece while being shielded from the child's face.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows an alternative embodiment wherein the soft material of the flexible mouthpiece <b>96</b> covers the shield <b>92</b> in regions of the teether that come into contact with an infant's face. The relatively flexible material is plugged or trapped between the shield <b>92</b> and the shield cap <b>94</b> as described above with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i>and 9<i>b </i></figref>but extends outwardly from the region in which it is trapped, hence wrapping over the shield <b>92</b> and thus providing a soft flexible surface which will come into contact with an infant's face during use of the teether.

In the embodiments shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i></figref>to <b>10</b> the portion of flexible material trapped between the shield and shield cap is substantially square in cross-section, however, any suitable cross-section of trapped material may be provided. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9<i>a </i></figref>to <b>10</b>, it is useful to provide a narrow channel extending away from the region in which the flexible membrane is trapped, so that it is particularly difficult for the trapped mass of flexible material to extend through that channel and thereby be pulled out of the rigid members of the teether. As shown particularly in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, as well as being welded together, the shield and shield cap may fit together by a clip fixing or other suitable inter-engagement means, in order to further fortify the structure of the teether. In the embodiments shown, there is no need for any pins or other additional components in order to trap the baglet membrane within the rigid parts of the soother. Instead, the rigid parts can be generally located over one another and welded or otherwise fixed together in order to secure the baglet material therein.

Variations

Whilst the biting portion of the teether has been described as being substantially “U-shaped”, it will be appreciated that any suitable shape which accommodates the profile of an infant's teeth and gums may be used. The purpose of the biting section is to provide a surface area in the mouth on which the infant can press down during teething, whilst at the same time fitting comfortably inside the infant's mouth and not posing any choking hazard or other safety risk. Therefore it is important that the biting section is connected securely to the rigid outer portions of the teether, which themselves should be sufficiently hard and large that they cannot be swallowed or inhaled.

In the embodiments described the collapsibility of certain portions of the U-shaped biting section is achieved by providing hollow, and hence compressible, formations of relatively flexible material therein. It will be appreciated that resilient or releasable collapsibility of portions of the teether may be achieved in other ways, for example by using a region of solid material of a different softness, having suitable elastic properties, in order to collapse and reform as appropriate during use. Alternatively or additionally, the formation may be only partially hollow, and/or may have supporting ribs to assist in the resilient compression and decompression of the formation. Alternatively or additionally, the formation may be cored out and have a sponge-like material therein, to assist with collapsing and reforming of the collapsible region of the mouthpiece. The hollow or compressible portions may be provided in any suitable portion of the flexible membrane which forms the mouthpiece of a teether—not just in the central portion or arms of a substantially U-shaped mouthpiece as described in detail herein.

Whilst a substantially U-shaped teether has been described herein, other teether shapes are possible without departing from the inventive concepts embodied in the particular arrangements shown and described herein. For example, a teether which includes discontinuities or gaps to accommodate an infant's teeth in certain regions of the mouth may be provided.

Whilst the methods of construction described herein have been applied to teethers, it will be appreciated that the same methods could be used to construct a soother in two or three parts. Like a teether, a soother comprises a relatively flexible portion or membrane which is trapped by and extends from one or more relatively rigid portions as described in detail hereabove. The relatively flexible portion in a soother is not used for teething but instead comprises a mouthpiece for an infant to suck on, to soothe the infant.

Hence a teether is provided which provides comfort and relief for an infant during various stages of teething. The infant can press down on the biting surface and the region of the teether located between the infant's front teeth or gums will collapse to a desired extent, so that biting and chewing pressure can be felt by the gums at the rear of the mouth, where the teeth are less developed. The teether is provided in a simple construction, using a minimal number of parts and avoiding very small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Preferably, the teether provides a soft, flexible surface next to the infant's skin, for enhanced comfort and accommodation of typical mouth movements during use. The teether can be constructed using a variety of techniques, in a straightforward, efficient and cost-effective manner.